THERE’S ONLY ONE ROBBIE KEANE...! Barnsley chopped down by super FC.

FC Buxton 1 – 0 Barnsley

FC Buxton got their Internet Football Association campaign off to a fine start at an overcast Fairfield Centre on Saturday morning, as they edged a strong Barnsley side who had recorded a top-five finish in the previous campaign.

FC went into the match on the back of a 100% pre-season record (albeit only one game) and despite there being several absentees from the first competitive squad of the season through jetlag/holidays/chasing the lady boys of Blackpool, Führer Chris Hill had a strong squad of 13 at his disposal. The numbers had been aided by last-minute loan signing Richard Mirams from Hope Valley Premier side Buxton Town, who made his FC debut in the centre of midfield, as Buxton lined up as follows:  Redburn. Keane.  A Gould. Moss. Merse. Betts. Mirams. Corbett. Norton. Sheppard. Hollins. Substitutes for FC were player-manager Hill and the other Gould, Dan.

FC began the match strongly and forced a smart save out of the Barnsley keeper within the first minute, when a quick turn and shot from Sheppard was smothered before it reached the bottom corner. Buxton’s tactic of shooting on sight appeared to be paying dividends as a succession of mistakes began to creep into the Barnsley defence as the pressure increased.

Despite this, Buxton never really managed a clear opening, with a driving run by Hollins on the left of the area coming to nothing as Barnsley just about held firm. After an in swinging corner from the right evaded all it was clear FC were going to have to battle to gain the initiative over their South Yorkshire opposition.

One look at the centre of the Barnsley midfield and it was clear why they had been so successful the season before. A strong central midfield pairing began to find their rhythm midway through the half as the Buxton centres struggled to get to grips with their neat passing and intricate one touch play. Buxton’s cause was not helped when debutant Mirams had to exit on the half-hour with ‘numb-feet’ – Hill was his replacement. Right-back Robbie Keane swapped places with Utility Corbett in midfield in a sportsmanlike gesture from the FC boss (a midfield partnership of Tiff and Corbett and the pace that would accompany it would clearly have been unfair to unleash on the opposition).

Several clever balls over the top gave the Barnsley no.10 the chance to show his unquestionable ability, but each time he was well kept out in what was an impressive showing from FC rocks Gould and Moss at the heart of the defence. Redburn was equally on hand to help out between the sticks when danger came his way, palming several efforts over the bar and showing impressive handling and sweeping when necessary.

When a Barnsley effort shaved the crossbar shortly before the interval, it became clear that it was important that Buxton stayed in the game until half-time at least, at which time they would be able to re-group and prepare their plan of attack for the second half.

HT 0-0.

The interval came with the scores still level and Tiff unleashed his Mourinho like methods on his troops – “If they don’t get the ball, they can’t beat us” was one such ingenious cry. No further changes were made at the break.

FC couldn’t have imagined a much better start to the second half. Step up Mr Robbie Keane. A mere 60 seconds after the restart, Keane (whose footballing career is currently going in the opposite direction to his more famous name-sake) picked up the ball from just inside the Barnsley half and drove at the opposition with a sense of purpose not seen since JLS went for that ball down the line in the now infamous draw against Sharrow Vale towards the end of last season. After evading a couple of challenges, he let fly from 25 yards out. The effort looked to be sailing wide, before the Jabulani magic kicked in and the ball flew into the back of the net off the left-hand post, keeper stranded. Cue delirium in the FC ranks. 1-0.

Past experience suggested that the goal would not be the winner for FC, and the old-clubmen  in the squad could have been forgiven for wondering whether the goal had come too early in the half. What was clear was that having took the lead it was crucial that Buxton re-gathered their composure and were ready for the battle which the next 44 minutes of the half would hold.

Mirams returned to the fray 10 minutes into the second half at the expense of the unfortunate Sheppard, who, having scored a hat-trick in the HSL friendly the week before, had come up against a much more resolute defence on his IFA debut. Nevertheless, the experience would stand him in good stead for the season ahead. Norton was pushed up-top, with Mirams taking his place on the left of midfield.

Despite Barnsley starting to exert a fair degree of pressure for the equaliser, they were struggling to create any real chances, with the height of Gould and Moss giving them a significant advantage over Barnsley’s slightly shorter centre-forward. Both were in imperious form, winning every header that came their way, with Corbett and Merse providing reliable assistance on the flanks.

At the other end, Buxton were profiting from Barnsley’s need for adventure, and Norton was unlucky not to double the lead when good work from Hollins slipped him in behind the Barnsley defence, but his attempted lob fell just wide of the mark. Hollins found himself in similar space moments later, with only a brave last-ditch tackle from the Barnsley centre-half stopping him from getting his shot on goal.

Following Dan Gould’s introduction for Tiff up-front (Norton dropped back to the left) the latter part of the match saw Barnsley restricted to opportunities from set pieces. The closest they came was when a whipped corner from the Barnsley right was met with a powerful header from the impressive no.6. Fortunately for FC, Redburn was having an equally impressive game between the sticks and was able to tip the effort over the bar.

FT 1 -0.

The whistle went and the joy on FC faces was clear to see. Barnsley are a good side and that will show in the season ahead. However, today had been FC Buxton’s day. 100% effort from front to back, and a goal worthy of winning any match, had seen them earn their first 3 points of the season at the first attempt. Job done.

Ratings: Redburn 9, Keane 9, A Gould  10, Moss 9, Merse 8, Betts 8, Mirams 8, Corbett 7, Norton 8, Sheppard 7, Hollins 9. Subs: Hill 7, D Gould 8.

Merse’s MOTM: Andrew Gould – the rock.